(note: I originally posted this on Tumblr but have decided to expand this fanfiction onto Wattpad. For those who followed this story on my tumblr under "barksmeow", I will be posting the full ff chapters on here from Chapter 7 onwards but I will post photosets/collages on my tumblr to notify y'all on updates. Anyways enjoy!)
Samantha's POV.
Well it's safe to say I just made it on time. I'm still quite nervous if I'm honest. I'm about to meet a lot of big names and I won't have Eddie there to help me through the awkwardness. I walk in and smile while the likes of HUGH JACKMAN, ANNE HATHAWAY and HELENA BONHAM CARTER stare right at me. Luckily they did smile back with waves and I wave with unintentional awkwardness before rushing straight towards the snack table. I take a bottle of water and just stare at the food, thinking of how to approach the other stars and make a good impression when suddenly, I feel a light tap on my back.
"Hi, you're Samantha Barks right?" I heard a high voice say.
I turned around and saw Amanda Seyfried with her hand out. I was quite star-struck that it took me a few seconds to realise I needed to reply.
I took her hand and shook it quite eagerly. "I am a huge fan, you're such an incredible actress and singer."
Amanda giggled before replying with "No no, I am hardly a singer next to you miss Barks. I watched a few YouTube clips of you and cannot believe how talented you are."
"That means so much coming from you." I was so flattered that she actually knew who I was. We went into conversation about how we started off in the business, with me telling her about I'd do anything and we joked about the idea of method for this process. It was safe to say that we hit it off quite quickly.
Aaron's POV.
So it's the first day and too be honest, I cannot wait to start. That said, Tom Hooper won't be impressed by my tardiness, but as I park my car in the parking lot I see a familiar freckled face that reassures me that if I have to face Tom's wrath for being late, I won't be alone. I call Eddie's name as I open my car door, bottle and script in hand.
"What took you so long?" He says seriously, before I initiate a bro-hug. I put my arm forward to suggest walking and talking, just so we're not extra late.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep"
"Excitement, I'm guessing"
"Yes! I'm so excited for this! Have you met any of the cast?"
"A few of them actually, what about you?"
"Just you." I pause, thinking of how much I know of the casting. "If I'm honest I only know for sure that Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe are casted, aside from you. The rest are rumours."
"You didn't think of asking Tom?"
"Well no, I've been quite busy. I figured it I'd just meet them all today."
Eddie rolled his eyes, he clearly did not support this idea. "What are the rumours you've heard then?"
"That Taylor Swift or Lea Michele is playing Eponine. Either one would be nice because well it'd be Taylor Swift! and I mean you know I'm a huge fan of hers and I've met Lea at several Broadway things before, so it'd be nice to have someone else I'd know."
We enter the busy rehearsal room, where I see some faces I recognise from some of my favourite films. Hugh, Russell and Anne are deep in conversation holding water bottles and copies of the script. I followed Eddie's gaze and I also see whom I recognise as Amanda Seyfried.
"Well actually..." Eddie continued, but before he could say anything else, Paco the costume designer pulls him aside to discuss, what I assume, to be some fittings.
I look back at Amanda and realised I had met her once or twice at a party. So you could say we were more acquaintances than we were friends. She was also in deep conversation with a brunette woman, but her back was towards me so I was unsure who it was and I assumed that it was an assistant or friend of hers. The unknown woman turned her head round for a few moments and I still didn't recognise whom she was. I did however recognise how stunning she was. She definitely had a star quality about her but I was sure that she wasn't someone from Hollywood. I figured I would go up to introduce myself, after signing in.
Samantha's POV.
Amanda and I had been talking for a good half an hour. I just brought up the conversation of Eddie being casted as her love interest. She seemed quite indifferent about it, but her face suddenly lit up as I saw her glance over my shoulder, slightly distracted from our conversation. I turn around for a few seconds and saw why.
"Speaking of Eddie..." I turn back to her and watch her try and hide her rosy cheeks.
It was Eddie and Aaron Tveit. I had watched a few clips of him before coming here. I like to know a bit about whom I'm working with and am going to spend the next few months with. I turn back again for a few seconds. I remember him being quite the cutie from the videos and I can truly say, his real life self did not disappoint.
Aaron's POV.
I look down at the 'sign in' sheet and do not see Lea or Taylor's name anywhere. Confusion struck me and I found it incredibly useless that character names weren't anywhere on the sheet. I don't know why it bugged me that I didn't know who Eponine was. I just figured that now, it was one less person I knew. Then, I realised it was someone I had to introduce myself too and contrary to belief I'm quite nervous with girls the first time round. I walk over to Eddie who was now by the snack table.
"Dude, I haven't seen the likes of Taylor or Lea anywhere, they weren't on the sign up sheet?" I whisper behind him.
He turns, smiling to himself.
"Well that's the thing, neither of them would be here."
"Who was cast as Eponine then?" I thought out loud.
"Well Aaron," he steps to the side and reveals that stunning brunette who was talking to Amanda. "... This is my friend Samantha Barks, the actress cast as Eponine. Sam, Aaron Tveit or if you'd prefer Enjolras and Eponine"
Samantha. Sam. So, she was playing Eponine. She was far too beautiful to play the role in my eyes. Her brown iris's glistened in the rehearsal room lighting and her brunette locks were perfectly messy. As she shook my hand, I couldn't help but notice what deep and adorable dimples accessorised her smile.
"I'm sorry I'm not anyone you expected" she chuckled out sincerely. Her British accent just made her that much more attractive. After that sunk in, I realised what she just said and felt so ashamed.
"I..I.. Sorry.. I just" was all I could muster, before Cameron, who was with Amanda, called for her.
"It was nice meeting you, we'll talk soon" she said quickly before rushing over to them.
"Smooth..." Eddie mocked behind me as I watched the girls go off. I turned back round to him with my mouth slightly open, still shocked by the encounter. I wanted to give him a comeback, but I couldn't think of one with my mind somewhere else. I stayed silent for a bit before blurting out a matter of curiosity.
"How do you know Samantha then?"
"Well, we are both from here, so I was able to meet her a few times."
"Interesting..." I said. I subconsciously went silent. Becoming more curious about this girl.
"I'm not sure I like where you're going with this Aaron. I mean, you're my friend, but so is Sam and I know what you're like with the ladies."
I dismissed that comment and continued to stare at the two girls interacting. I had never felt so ashamed around a girl. Well done Aaron. Great first impression. Bet you made her feel real special. How very gentleman-like of you to not only rudely interrupt her conversation with someone else, but then you make her feel like her presence is unwanted and unnecessary, when clearly YOU should have known she was playing one of the only female leads. It wouldn't have been that hard to just research who your co-stars were going to be. I needed to fix this.
Samantha's POV.
"Don't look, but he's keeps looking over at you" said Amanda. She had become overwhelmed with excitement at my encounter with Aaron
I looked over, against her instruction and caught Aaron's gaze. We locked eyes for a few seconds before I force myself to pull away.
"No, he isn't, Why would he be?" I lied. Ignoring that tingly feeling I got from looking at him. Gosh he was good looking and that glare felt like he was staring right through me. Seriously, I could've melted.
Amanda glares at me and can clearly see through my attempt to hide my attraction towards him.
"You soo know he is." She practically giggles out. Subtlety was clearly not her strongest asset and apparently not one of mine either as she highlights to me that I'm blushing. Sam. Stop right now. Remember, you promised yourself, no romantic entanglements. Remember Killian? YOUR ex! Not to mention he is here as Combeferre! But remember which character he played when you fell for him. YES, that's right, Enjolras. Ironic right? That's Aaron's character! The one who you think is incredibly cute and charming. He has barely said one word to you. Stop, before you...
"I see why you like him" Amanda continued, thankfully interrupting my train of thought.
"What?"
"Aaron... He's incredibly handsome"
"Then why don't you date him?" I joke.
"Hardy har," she said, rolling her eyes at me, "...but no. Eddie's more of my type if anything." I raise my eyebrows before she quickly adds "But don't get any Ideas. Besides, clearly you and Aaron are attracted to each other"
I hold my face in my hand, as it was obvious Amanda was not going to give up with this idea. I mean, it didn't help that she was right in the sense that I was attracted to him, but that didn't mean he reciprocated that attraction. I quickly glanced up, catching his gaze once more, he smiled with an awkward wave and I did the same in response, before looking at Amanda who winked at me. I hoped he didn't see her do that and thankfully when I turned back he was facing away talking to Eddie. Rehearsal needed to start SOON, I needed to get RE-focused. Thanks Tom for insisting that we should spend the morning getting to know each other. Not only is my mind less focused than when I came in because I have a beautiful man I can't avoid, but I also have a new friend who is making it hard not to ignore that fact.